“No.” Lana’s expression sobered up as she looked at her friend. “I didn’t know him very well before the Calamity, but I think he was always sort of a closed person.”

“But he used to talk?”

“Yes, but not much. He’s only sixteen, one of those smart straight-A students. You know, the weird smart guys everyone is impressed with but stay away from?”

Nori nodded slowly. “I think I understand. So if he was like that before …”

“Yeah. The Calamity shook him real bad. I found him cowering and whimpering in a storage closet and … I couldn’t just leave him there.” Her voice became defensive.

Nori frowned. “Of course you couldn’t. Why? Did something happen?”

“Yeah …” Lana’s voice quivered. “I … he ... “ She swallowed hard. “He wouldn’t listen when I tried talking him out of there, so I reached out to grab him and …”

“Yes?”

“And something happened. I felt something. When I touched him. A spark. You know, kinda like a static electric jolt. Only this was a hundred times stronger, but it didn’t hurt. And since then …” The dark-haired woman’s voice faltered.

Nori waited patiently, sensing the other woman needed the time.

Lana took in a deep breath. “And since then we’ve been connected. Bulco was right when he said it didn’t make sense how I could understand him so easily. I think Nathan changed me somehow.” She threw a guilty glance at the motionless man and lowered her voice. “It’s just a hunch, but I think he was the one who made it possible for me to take the Expert Path. The other two options were so obviously inferior it almost seemed odd to have Expert as an option.”

Nori nodded slowly. “Perhaps you’re right. There’s something different about Nathan. We never discussed the ‘Scion’ part of his race description.”

“You’re thinking he’s part alien?” Lana's voice was barely audible.

Nori grimaced. “I don’t know. It’s an unsettling thought. But if he is, it’s a good thing he’s on our side. Every time I look at him, something inside tells me that he could be dangerous.”

“Nathan, Dangerous?” Lana barked a short laugh. “No way. He’s the sweetest guy ever. But I think he has a powerful Path. Too bad he can’t tell us what it is.”

“Maybe he will, someday.”

“I hope. He seems to be doing much better these last two days.”

“He’s recovering from his trauma. I hope he’ll pull out of it eventually.” She paused and mulled it over. “It sort of cancels out your theory that the Tec regulates our minds as well.”

“I don’t know about that,” Lana said. “I don’t think normal terms apply when it comes to Nathan. He’s different than the rest of us.” She hesitated before continuing. “No, I think his condition improving has more to do with you, Nori.”

“Me?”